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Bay Area politicians share hopes for Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State address

Rick Snyder

FILE-- In this Jan. 16, 2013 file photo, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder delivers his third annual State of the State address to a joint session of the state Legislature in the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Snyder typically isn't bashful about unveiling major initiatives at his annual State of the State speech. This election year, though, could be more of a pep talk and run-down of his accomplishments. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

BAY CITY, MI — As
Michigan politicians gather in Lansing for Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the
State address this evening, many Bay Area representatives have
high hopes for the governor's speech, ranging from his treatment of Michigan's
budget surplus to his plans for Bay City's two city-run bascule bridges.

State Rep. Charles Brunner, D-Bay City (File)

State Rep. Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, said he's interested
in the governor's plans for Michigan's nearly $1 billion budget surplus, noting
that the money could make a difference for public schools and local
municipalities' work on infrastructure.

"There has been literally billions … taken out of
the education budget, and I think many districts have done very well with less
and less and less," Brunner said. "I'm not saying we throw money at it, but I think
it's time we invest in it."

Additionally, Brunner offered criticism of the governor's
policies that he said have not stimulated job growth, including cuts to various
business taxes, including personal property tax.

"I'd like to think and hope that they're done for job
growth, but we haven't seen it," Brunner said.

Bay City Mayor Christopher Shannon (File)

Bay City Mayor Christopher Shannon says that chief among his interests
are the future of Bay City's bridges. Both Veterans Memorial Bridge and the
Lafayette Bridge are operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation, but
the Liberty Bridge and the Independence Bridge are not. Shannon noted his
interest in legislation that would transfer bascule-type bridges from local to state
hands.

"The city's done a good job of maintaining and operating
these bridges, but it's had an adverse affect on our streets," he said. "The
bridges have really, in a big way, consumed the streets' budget, so we're
really no longer able to do anything in regard to repair and replacement of our
streets."

Shannon said he plans to attend this evening's speech as the guest of Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, who introduced legislation in March 2013 that would set aside a fund for the Michigan Department of Transportation to use to fund the operation of the state's bascule bridges.

Shannon also noted concern for personal property taxes, which he said can have the effect of stifling business in Bay City.

State Sen. Green offered insights into
what the governor may address this evening. As for Bay City's bridges, he said the governor likely won't touch on the issue.

State Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville (File)

"I doubt it's on his radar screen, because any discussions I've
had with MDOT about that, I've just had with the director," he added, noting
that although it was a well-known priority, it was not something that had been
dealt with at the gubernatorial level.

Like Brunner, Green said he hopes that the governor will touch on public
school funding, though he said educational issues have been supported during Snyder's tenure, noting that many cuts in funding have come from the federal level as
stimulus money ceased.

"Sometimes I feel like we get a bad knock on K-12 funding,
because we get criticized for the limited amount of funding we've sent to the K-12
budget," Green said. Ryan Mitchell, an aide for State Sen. Green, noted that K-12 funding from the State of Michigan has
been increased by several hundred dollars per student from the beginning of fiscal year 2011 to the beginning of fiscal year 2014.

Green added that it was unlikely the governor would outline
a relatively long list of goals for the coming year, noting upcoming elections.

"We're not going to be able to accomplish a real big agenda,
because so much of the time the house and the senate will be out campaigning,"
Green said.

Jim Stamas, R-Midland, could not immediately be reached for comment by The Times.